Where Brilliance Meets the Chess Board

About DC Scholastic Chess

Our Story Our Mission

Welcome to DC Scholastic Chess website.

Our mission is to give students access to rated and unrated chess tournaments in Washington,DC. Students across the metropolitan area are invited to participate. DC Scholastic Chess volunteers are community partners with the US Chess Center, Capital Area Chess care of Chess Girls DC 501c3 Nonprofit Organization.

On behalf of the DC State Affiliate of the USCF, DC Scholastic Chess events are produced by Chess Girls DC Nonprofit Organization and endorsed by the DC Chess League and the United States Chess Federation to directly sponsor and hold (or arrange for) annual United States Chess Federation (USCF) rated State Championships, directly sponsor and hold (or arrange for) annual USCF rated Scholastic State High School, Junior High or Middle School and Elementary School Championships. Examples include but are not limited to statewide or geographically rotating Rated Beginner and Open tournaments as well as participation in National Chess Day Activities, Regional and/or National Championships. Chess Girls DC is endorsed by the DC Scholastic Chess program coordinator to arrange and promote participation and events for women and girls within Washington,DC and the surrounding metropolitan area.

Unrated and Rated Scholastic Tournaments

Are you a beginner, expert, or somewhere in between? Not to worry! There is a level for everyone. Register today for Scholastic Chess Tournaments.

Commitment to Learning

Our mission is to inspire all students to play Chess.We encourage critical thinking and emphasize the learning process over winning.

Thank you for your support 2017-2019 season. Looking forward to 2020

January 11 High School Warm up

Fun was had by all

Grade Championship series

Grade Championship series

Grade Championship series

Grade Championship series

Grade Championship series

Looking forward to the new high school champion

2020 Rated Player Rally

$100 will sponsor 8 students to become rated players. Please donate to Chess Girls DC

Why become a rated player?

If you are a DC resident,Chess Girls DC, sponsor of DC Scholastic Chess events will donate a USCF rating membership to every student who registers for the 2020 District of Columbia Grade Championships. This is a gift to students who have never had a USCF membership before. Students from around the region are welcome to come out and play regardless of residency.

If you need to renew your membership please bring your old number and you can renew for additional $5.00 vs. normal renewal of $25.00 for premium membership

What is a chess rating?

USCF stands for United State Chess Federation and is the rating system used throughout the United States. To participate in USCF rated events your must have a USCF membership. A USCF rating is required to receive the title of National Master or Grandmaster. https://new.uschess.org/join-uschess/

A USCF rating allows you to be more closely paired in tournaments with students who have similar skill sets.

A Chess Rating is a number typically ranging from 400-2000+. It is an estimate of a person’s tournament playing strength. You receive a rating after playing in a rated tournament once your name is entered into the database of players. The number will go up or down depending on how well you do against other rated players.

Here is a list of sample ratings and how they typically correlate to chess skill:

400 Rating assigned before first tournament

800 A player who knows some basics and sees a fair number of threats/opportunities

1200 A developing chess player who is understanding some chess strategy

1600 A player headed towards the top scholastic player level.

2000 Expert Level – very few players reach this level while in grade school

Should I use my student’s rating as a way to help them set goals?

Ratings can be very motivational as a means to set goals, and I will frequently tell students that you should set a rating that is about 300 rating points above where you currently are and strive for that goal. However, once you are within 100 points of your original goal, celebrate your progress and plan to adjust that goal up approximately 300 points again. Why? Simply because, typically, if you set a high goal, you will quickly advance through the lower levels, but setting too high of a goal becomes ‘unattainable’ and frustrating to a student.

Donations spread chess across the city

Support Chess Girls DC.Donations spread our resources across the city.

DC Chess Scene

Disclosure DC Scholastic Chess

By Registering and submitting payment for the Chess Tournament you agree to the following.

Assumption of Risk and Release of Liability

Chess Girls DC/ DC Scholastic Events

for Use of tournament Space or participation in virtual programs

By registering for the chess tournament or virtual programing,I am aware, my child is participating or attending chess tournament hosted by the Chess Girls DC Program (“Program”), a nonprofit organization. Images of my child may be used to promote the activities of the program on social media or Chess Girls DC/ DC Scholastic events website. for use of thiBy registering for this Space or participation in online program, I agree to the following:

ASSUMPTION OF RISK: I understand that use of the online program or use of Space is voluntary and that there are risks associated with use of the online programs and the internet or Space. I voluntarily assume any such risks. My child will do his/her best to be well behaved and I agree to supervise my child, children at all time during online lessons. I understand this is not a drop off program.

RELEASE OF LIABILITY: I do not release or assign responsibility of my Child to Chess Girls DC, it’s volunteers, vendors, contractors or officers. I knowingly release, waive, and forever discharge Chess Girls DC, its agents, employees, vendors, contractors, volunteers, officers, and trustees from any and all claims or liability for injury or damages (including loss or damage to property) arising from or attributable to my or my child’s presence during the chess tournament, unless it is due to willful or intentional misconduct or negligence.

DAMAGES: I agree to be held responsible for any damage done to the “Space” by my child, aside from normal wear and tear, that was a result of the conduct of me and my child to be determined by the “Space” in its sole discretion.

RULES: I agree to abide by the policies, rules, and regulations of the online programing chess tournament and with all applicable state, federal, and city laws and regulations. If any laws, regulations, rules, or policies are broken, I understand that the “Space” may, in its sole discretion and in addition to any other remedy that may be available, terminate my participation in the chess tournament under this Agreement and require me to leave immediately.

I have read and understood the above provisions and agree to be bound by them.

2019 Regional Girls Chess Tournament in Washington,DC was a

Looking forward to this year, November 6,7,8, 2020

Details will be finalized September 1, 2020. Contact chessgirlsdc@gmail with questions.